Mikasa pointed behind her with a grim expression. She knew something a thousand times more urgent was happening there, yet this merchant was obstructing the evacuation of hundreds, even thousands of people just because he was unwilling to part with his goods. It was utterly ridiculous.
What were those soldiers fighting desperately on the front lines even for?
"Of course!" the merchant roared. "To protect the lives and property of the residents, it is your duty to sacrifice yourselves at a time like this. You people eat free food every day and live carefree lives off our money. Now that you finally have a chance to be useful—"
"If you think it is only natural to sacrifice yourself for others... then you should also understand that, at a critical moment, sacrificing one person to save everyone else is only natural."
Lianye stepped forward and raised Hunter's Blade, intending to have a proper "sit-down" discussion with the merchant.
The merchant's guards immediately moved in front of him. One look at Lianye was enough to tell that he had no intention of talking things out peacefully.
"Y-you dare? Just try it! I am the president of this city's merchant association! I am old friends with your commander—well, the commander of the Garrison Regiment! The future and entire lives of soldiers like you... I can decide them with a single word!"
The merchant put on a threatening expression. In his view, the easiest way to send someone packing was with power and money. How could a mere soldier dare defy the president of a merchant association? After all, the most important thing for a soldier was to follow orders and obey.
"Oh dear, I'm so scared~~~" Lianye curled his lips into a teasing smile. "Then I just won't be a soldier."
Lianye patted